Afghanistan Telecom Regulatory Authority (ATRA) generates a considerable amount of revenue to the Afghan government, particularly, since the approval of a 10% levied tax on telecom services, and 2.5% on the net incomes of the telecommunication company sales.
According to reports from the Ministry of Finance of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, ATRA has transferred Afs 878 million ($11.3mn) to the special account of the Ministry of Finance, allocated to be spent through the national budget on a priority basis.
These revenues come from 2.5% on the net incomes of the telecommunication company sales and will be spent on certain projects, including ATRA’s development project and more.
In the meantime, some lawmakers have great concern over lack of transparency and accountability in the transfer of money from the government institutions to the Ministry of Finance.
According to some financial experts, the existence of massive corruption causes an ambiguity among government bodies in the proper allocation of the national budget.
Lack of transparency in transferring and spending budget made lawmakers form a special commission to conduct comprehensive research into the two emergency funds (Code 91 and Code 92).
The assigned commission will also investigate the transfer of Afs.15 billion from Da Afghanistan Bank (Afghanistan’s Central Bank) to the Ministry of Finance and the Lack of transparency in the collection of 10% levied on telecom services.
